STAGE FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING TORPEDOS

Abstract

The present invention relates to a loading device (10) for introducing a torpedo (20) into a torpedo tube (30), wherein: the loading device (10) has at least one storage space for a torpedo (20); the loading device (10) has a transport device for bringing the torpedo (20) into a torpedo tube (30); the transport device has a fluid-mechanical drive (40); the loading device (10) has at least one first fixing element (50) for holding a torpedo (20) in the loading device (10); the loading device (10) has at least one first fixing device (60); the first fixing device (60) is designed to produce a connection to a torpedo tube (30); the loading device (10) has a connecting device (70); the connecting device (70) has at least one coupling element (80) for frictional connection with a lifting device; the connecting device (70) has at least one fluid-mechanical connection element (90).

Description

[0001] Stage for loading and unloading torpedoes

[0002] The invention relates to a loading device for loading and unloading a watercraft with a torpedo, in particular a heavyweight torpedo, from the outside through the muzzle flap of the gun barrel.

[0003] Heavyweight torpedoes are typically launched from submarines. To load a heavyweight torpedo into a submarine, the submarine usually has a special hatch into which the torpedoes can be inserted diagonally into the space behind the gun barrels.

[0004] Lightweight torpedoes are typically used on surface ships, and these are usually arranged in appropriate ejection devices on deck.

[0005] Heavyweight torpedoes are commonly referred to as "unit kills," meaning that a single hit from a single weapon can completely destroy an enemy ship. This clearly distinguishes a heavyweight torpedo from missiles or lightweight torpedoes.

[0006] However, due to the superstructure of a surface vessel, it is not always possible to integrate a hatch through which a heavyweight torpedo could be inserted into a compartment behind the gun tube. Furthermore, due to the high integration density, it may be desirable to forgo a comparatively large compartment for storing and inserting heavyweight torpedoes into a gun tube behind the gun tubes.

[0007] In the context of the invention, a gun barrel can, to a first approximation, be a tube with openings at its end faces. In some watercraft, for example, submarines, a muzzle section is arranged in front of the actual gun barrel, extending to the outer hull of the watercraft. According to the invention, this muzzle section is intended to be an integral part of the gun barrel. Therefore, the term muzzle flap, as used in the invention, also includes an outer hull flap, which may be arranged in front of a muzzle section in the outer hull.

[0008] From DE 102015202553 A1 a weapon recess for storing a weapon in a watercraft is known.

[0009] From DE 69005455 T2 a method and a device for pushing torpedoes are known.

[0010] US Patent 3038614 A discloses a device for transporting a torpedo.

[0011] The object of the invention is to provide a loading device with which a gun barrel of a watercraft can be loaded and unloaded with a heavyweight torpedo.

[0012] This problem is solved by the loading device with the features specified in claim 1, the system with the features specified in claim 13, and the method with the features specified in claim 14. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims, the following description, and the drawings.

[0013] The loading device according to the invention serves to insert a torpedo into the gun barrel of a watercraft, wherein the loading device can be arranged externally on the watercraft with the gun barrel and thus in front of the gun barrel. The loading device is therefore a completely separate, independent device and is only temporarily positioned in front of the gun barrel for connecting a weapon into or out of the gun barrel. The loading device has at least one storage position for a torpedo. Preferably, this is a heavyweight torpedo. Heavyweight torpedoes typically have a caliber of 533 mm and a length of 7 to 10 m and a weight of approximately 2 t.Examples of heavyweight torpedoes include the American Mark 48, the German DM2A4 Seehecht, the British Spearfish, the British Mk 24 Tigerfish, the French DTCN L5 or F17, and the Russian Shkval. Even larger heavyweight torpedoes exist, such as the Russian Type 65 with a diameter of 650 mm.

[0014] The loading device includes a transport mechanism for moving the torpedo into the gun tube of the watercraft, the transport mechanism being powered by a fluid-mechanical drive. Fluid-mechanical includes hydraulic and pneumatic drive, with hydraulic drive specifically including the use of conventional hydraulic oils.

[0015] The loading device has at least one first fixing element for unfolding a torpedo within the loading device. The first fixing element serves to hold the torpedo securely in its storage position while the loading device is being moved.

[0016] The loading device has at least one first fixing device, wherein the first fixing device is designed to establish a connection to the gun barrel. This is important because a watercraft typically exhibits slight movement. It is therefore essential to fix the loading device relative to the gun barrel so that the loading device cannot move relative to the gun barrel.

[0017] The loading device has a connection device, wherein the connection device has at least one coupling element for force-fit connection with a lifting device.

[0018] By reversing the loading process, unloading is also possible, so that a loading device can also be used for unloading.

[0019] The loading device can be coupled to a standard excavator, for example, via the connection fitting. "Excavator" is used here merely as an example and refers to a suitable vehicle with the corresponding characteristics. For instance, a forklift, mobile crane, or similar equipment could also be used. An excavator typically has a connection fitting to accommodate various excavator buckets.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, the loading device comprises at least one fluid-mechanical connection element. Since some excavator buckets or other attachments, such as demolition shears, are also hydraulically actuated, excavator connection devices typically incorporate fluid-mechanical connection elements. This makes it possible to provide a loading device that does not require separate devices for supplying fluid-mechanical energy, such as a compressor, as this is already provided by a standard excavator. Simultaneously, the loading device can be used at any location, as it can be universally connected to various excavators. Thus, it is only necessary to transport the loading device, not the excavator itself.

[0021] Therefore, a quick-release coupling is particularly preferred for the connection device. The quick-change system from Lehnhoff, offered under the Variolock brand (as of 2019), is just one example. Such systems are commercially available and exhibit high interoperability with corresponding construction machinery, making the loading device easily usable worldwide.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, the connection device additionally includes an electrical connection element. This allows the control unit to be relocated to the vehicle. For example, sensor data from the loading device can also be transmitted, particularly data from the route taken by the transport device.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, the fixing element is designed as a clamping band. Preferably, the loading device has 2 to 6 clamping bands, more preferably 3 to 4 clamping bands. Preferably, the clamping bands can be unlocked and locked hydraulically or electronically, more preferably hydraulically. In a further embodiment of the invention, the fixing device is designed as a separate component. For example, and more preferably, the fixing device can be arranged in the form of a work platform with a flat surface extending from the gun barrels. For example, and more preferably, this work platform is detachably attached to a frame on the upper side of the deck of the watercraft, for example, and more preferably, by means of fasteners such as those used, for example, on standard containers (see, for example, ISO 1161:2016).For example, and in particular, these closures are positioned so that a standard container can also be placed here during operation. For example, and in particular, the fixing device has a flat surface on which the loading device can be moved transversely to its longitudinal direction. By moving it transversely to its longitudinal direction, the loading device can be positioned precisely behind a gun barrel. The working platform of the fixing device can be designed to be wide enough to allow two gun barrels to be loaded via the platform.

[0024] In another embodiment of the invention, the fluid-mechanical drive is a hydraulic drive.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the invention, the transport device includes a push chain. A push chain stiffens when extended, making it ideally suited for inserting the torpedo into the gun tube. For simplification, the gun tube can, for example, have a slotted tube to guide the push chain.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the invention, the loading device includes a push chain storage unit, wherein the push chain storage unit is arranged below the storage location for the torpedo. The push chain storage unit preferably has at least one deflection, preferably two deflections. In this way, a push chain of sufficient length for complete insertion into the gun tube can be accommodated.

[0027] In a further embodiment of the invention, the loading device includes an adjustment device for relative alignment with a gun barrel. The adjustment device can, for example, consist of three or four pins. The adjustment device, for example the pins, engages in corresponding counterparts arranged on the watercraft, for example in blind holes. This automatically ensures that the loading device is precisely aligned with the watercraft and thus also with the gun barrel. In particular, the storage location of the loading device and the gun barrel can be easily and reproducibly aligned, so that a torpedo can be easily transferred from the storage location into the gun barrel.

[0028] In a further embodiment of the invention, the loading device comprises a lower support and an upper support. The lower support provides storage space for the torpedo, the first fixing element, and the transport device; the upper support provides the connection device. For example, the lower support and the upper support are connected to each other by lateral cross braces.

[0029] In another aspect, the invention relates to a system consisting of a watercraft with at least one first gun barrel, a land vehicle with a lifting device and a fluid mechanical system, as well as a loading device according to the invention.

[0030] The vessel is, in particular and preferably, a surface vessel, for example, and preferably, a corvette, a frigate, a destroyer, a cruiser, or a fast attack craft. Most preferably, the surface vessel has the smallest possible radar cross-section (RCS).

[0031] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for inserting a torpedo into the gun barrel of a watercraft, the method comprising the following steps: a) connecting the loading device to a land vehicle with a lifting device, b) arranging the loading device on the outside in front of the muzzle flap of the gun barrel, c) attaching the loading device to the watercraft by means of the fixing device, d) releasing the lifting device of the land vehicle, e) inserting the torpedo into the gun barrel by means of the transport device, f) removing the transport device from the gun barrel, g) removing the loading device.

[0032] Releasing the lifting device in step d) allows the lifting device to follow the movements of the watercraft and thus the movements of the loading device without opposing a force or transferring the movement to the land vehicle.

[0033] In a further embodiment of the invention, the method additionally includes, after step e), the step of removing the loading block of the transport device on the inside of the gun barrel.

[0034] In a further embodiment of the invention, the method additionally comprises the following step: h) Inserting a torpedo into the loading device, wherein step h) is performed before step a) or step e).

[0035] In another embodiment of the invention, the torpedo is after the

[0036] The insertion in step h) is rotated. This serves in particular to bring the torpedo's retaining latch into the correct position.

[0037] In another embodiment of the invention, the torpedo is after the

[0038] The loading device is aligned with the gun barrel during step h). This can be used to compensate for variations in the relative position of the loading device relative to the watercraft.

[0039] In a further embodiment of the invention, the method additionally comprises the following steps: i) fixing the torpedo with the at least one first fixing element after insertion in step h), j) releasing the at least one first fixing element immediately before step e).

[0040] In a further embodiment of the invention, in step a) the loading device is additionally connected to a fluid mechanical system of the land vehicle.

[0041] In a further embodiment of the invention, the insertion in step e) is carried out using a telescopic rack.

[0042] Fig. 1 Perspective view of a loading device. Fig. 2 Side view of a loading device.

[0043] Fig. 3 Perspective view between loading device and gun barrel. Fig. 4 Cross-section through loading device and gun barrel. Fig. 5 Enlarged detail of push chain and loading stand. Fig. 6 Connecting device.

[0044] Fig. 7 Connection device with complementary coupling Fig. 8 Land vehicle with loading device and watercraft Fig. 9 Fixing device with flat surface Fig. 10 Fixing device with flat surface

[0045] Figure 1 shows a loading device 10. The loading device 10 consists of an upper support 150 and a lower support 140. The upper support 150 has a connecting device 70 and a fixing device 60. The lower support 140 has a transport device consisting of a drive 40, a push chain 120 in a push chain storage unit 130, and a loading stand 170. The torpedo 20 is held on the lower support 140 of the loading device 10 by means of fixing elements 50 in the form of cross straps. The lower support 140 and the upper support 150 are connected to each other by struts 160. This is also clearly visible in the side view in Figure 2.

[0046] Figure 3 shows the transition of the torpedo 20 from the loading device 10 into the gun tube 30. Two gun tubes 30 are also shown side by side. To better support the weight of the loading device 10 and the torpedo 20, the watercraft 230 has a support 180 below the gun tube 30. It can also be seen that the fixing device 60 simultaneously aligns the torpedo with the gun tube 30.

[0047] Fig. 4 shows a cross-section through a loading device 10 and a gun tube 30 during the transfer of a torpedo 20 from the loading device 10 into the gun tube 30. It is clearly visible that the loading block 170 is located behind the torpedo 20 inside the gun tube 30. Therefore, the loading block 170 must be removed from the inside of the gun tube 30. Only then can the push chain 120 be retracted into the loading device 10. For this purpose, the push chain 120 and the loading block 170 can be detachably connected to each other via the loading block coupling 190, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0048] Fig. 6 shows the connection device 70 with a coupling element 80, a fluid-mechanical connecting element 90, and an electrical connecting element 110. The connection device 70 is designed as a quick-release coupling, the operation of which is illustrated in Fig. 7 using the excavator coupling 200. Such an excavator coupling 200 is typically arranged on the arm of the excavator to accommodate various buckets. First, the hooks 210 engage with the coupling element 80. Then, the excavator coupling 200 is folded down, establishing the fluid-mechanical and electrical connections. To secure the connections, the two bolts 220 are then extended, engaging in corresponding holes in the connection device and thus locking the quick-release coupling.

[0049] Fig. 8 shows in a very schematic way the loading process: a land vehicle 240, for example an excavator, carries the loading device 10, which is loaded with the torpedo 20, and guides it to the gun barrel of the watercraft 230.

[0050] Figures 9 and 10 show a fixing device 60 with a flat surface 110. Figure 9 shows schematic parts of the watercraft 230, while these have been omitted in Figure 10 for simplification. The container indicated in Figure 9 is intended only to show that a container can also be arranged here instead of the fixing device 60, for example, to accommodate modules depending on the mission. The same mounting elements that can secure a container are used to secure the fixing device 60 for loading the gun tube 30 with a torpedo 20. A loading device 10 (shown in a highly simplified form in Figures 9 and 10) can be moved horizontally across the flat surface 110, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the loading device 10, in order to be positioned directly behind the selected gun tube 30.This makes it possible to load both weapon tubes 30 shown; the fixing device 60 only needs to be attached and removed once together for both loading operations.

[0051] Insofar as the invention refers to loading or a loading device, the loading device is also suitable for unloading or, if this is not immediately apparent, can be made suitable for an unloading process by simple modification.

[0052] Reference numerals: 10 Loading device 20 Torpedo 30 Gun barrel 40 Drive 50 Fixing element 60 Fixing device 70 Connection device 80 Coupling element 90 Fluid-mechanical connecting element 100 Electrical connecting element 110 Flat surface 120 Push chain 130 Push chain storage 140 Lower support 150 Upper support 160 Cross brace 170 Loading jack 180 Support

[0053] 190 Loading jack coupling 200 Excavator coupling 210 Hook 220 Bolt 230 Watercraft 240 Land vehicle

Claims

Patent claims 1. Loading device (10) for inserting a torpedo (20) into a gun tube (30) of a watercraft (230), wherein the loading device can be arranged externally on the watercraft (230) with the gun tube (30) and thus in front of the gun tube (30), wherein the loading device (10) has at least one storage space for a torpedo (20), wherein the loading device (10) has a transport device for moving the torpedo (20) into the gun tube (30) of the watercraft (230), wherein the transport device has a fluid-mechanical drive (40), wherein the loading device (10) has at least one first fixing element (50) for holding a torpedo (20) in the loading device (10), wherein the loading device (10) has at least one first fixing device (60), wherein the first fixing device (60) is designed to establish a connection to the gun tube (30), wherein the The loading device (10) has a connection device (70),wherein the connecting device (70) has at least one coupling element (80) for force-fit connection with a lifting device.

2. Loading device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting device (70) has at least one fluid-mechanical connecting element (90).

3. Loading device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting device (70) is designed as a quick coupling.

4. Loading device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting device (70) additionally has an electrical connecting element (100).

5. Loading device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing element (50) is designed as a clamping band.

6. Loading device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing device (60) is designed as a separate component.

7. Loading device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the fixing device (60) has a flat surface (110) on which the loading device (10) can be displaced transversely to the longitudinal direction of the loading device (10).

8. Loading device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid-mechanical drive (40) is a hydraulic drive (40).

9. Loading device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport device has a push chain (120).

10. Loading device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the loading device (10) has a push chain storage unit (130), wherein the push chain storage unit (130) is arranged below the storage space for the torpedo (20).

11. Loading device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loading device (10) has an adjustment device for relative alignment with respect to a weapon tube (30).

12. Loading device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loading device (10) has a lower support (140) and an upper support (150), wherein the lower support (140) has the storage space for the torpedo (20), the first fixing element (50) and the transport device, wherein the upper support (150) has the connection device (70).

13. System comprising a watercraft (230) with at least one first gun tube (30), a land vehicle (240) with a lifting device and a fluid mechanical system, and a loading device (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

14. Method for loading a torpedo (20) into a gun tube (30) of a watercraft (230), the method comprising the following steps: a) connecting the loading device (10) to a land vehicle (240) with a lifting device, b) arranging the loading device (10) outside the muzzle of the gun tube (30), c) attaching the loading device (10) to the watercraft (230) by means of the fixing device (60), d) releasing the lifting device of the land vehicle (240), e) loading the torpedo (20) into the gun tube (30) by means of the transport device, f) removing the transport device from the gun tube (30), g) removing the loading device (10).

15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the method additionally comprises the following step: h) Inserting a torpedo (20) into the loading device (10), wherein step h) is performed before step a) or step e).

16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the torpedo (20) is rotated after being inserted in step h).

17. Method according to one of claims 15 to 16, characterized in that the torpedo (20) is aligned with the gun tube (30) after being inserted in step h).

18. Method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the method additionally comprises the following steps: i) fixing the torpedo (20) with the at least one first fixing element (50) after insertion in step h), j) releasing the at least one first fixing element (50) immediately before step e).

19. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that in step a) the loading device (10) is additionally connected to a fluid-mechanical system of the land vehicle (240).

20. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that the insertion in step e) is carried out with a telescopic rack.